J.D. Ross is a former president of Joliet Jr. College, the oldest Junior College in the United States, created in 1901. Ross became the 6th President at the College and broke barriers by becoming the first and only African American president in the college’s history. He is, therefore, The Times Weekly 2022 Black History Maker.
Ross’ 39-year career in education started in the Quad Cities where he worked for two school districts as a teacher, and then as an administrator. He then joined the Joliet Jr. College staff where he held several positions before becoming president, including vice president for academic affairs.
As junior college president, Ross oversaw a district that covered parts of seven counties, including Cook and Will. The school had 13,000 students in three locations: the main campus on Joliet’s southwest side and two satellite campuses. Today the college has grown to over 30,000 students.
Ross’ position as president had an important impact on the community.
“I am proud to be the first African American to serve as President of Joliet Junior College. As far as the impact of my appointment is concerned, I leave it to others to make such assessments. However, I believe that I demonstrated to all students that I was capable of doing the job. I believe that minority students took pride in the fact that I was a minority in a senior level position. Those that got to know me personally, soon found out that I was not much different from them in that I was a first-generation college student from a poor economic background. I hope they took heart from my story and realized that through hard work and determination they could achieve a dream also. “
“As far as impact on the community, I hope that people saw me as the President of Joliet Junior College who was an African American. Like the students, I believe minority communities were happy to see me in the role of president, because no person of color had ever been in the position at Joliet Junior College. I hope for non-students my appointment was a source of inspiration. It was proof that a person who is prepared and committed can do the job regardless of skin color, if given the opportunity. I was active in the college district and was treated with the same respect as every other JJC President. I believe that people saw me as a servant leader who had the interests of students, faculty, and staff as my top priority.”
“I served 32 years at Joliet Junior College,” Ross reminisced. For seven of those years, I was President. “It was a wonderful experience.” Ross retired from the college in 2006.
Throughout his career Ross served on several boards Including the University of St. Francis board of trustees for which he was a past chairman.
He was on the Board of Directors of the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) in 2008. After retiring from JJC he became the Executive Director of the Will-Grundy Medical Clinic, a non-profit United Way funded agency that provides free health care to the uninsured. Ross also served on the boards of Cornerstone Services, Inc., and the Presence St. Joseph Medical Center.
Because of his commitment and service to the community, the college established in 2004 the J.D. Ross Extraordinary Service Award (ESA). The award recognizes humanitarian service, distinguished public service and scholarly services performed by businesses, government, organizations, academic achievement, social reform etc. in the Illinois Community College District.
The Times Weekly is proud to name J.D. Ross, our 2022 History Maker.
darius@thetimesweekly.com
